Yotopia: A Yoan conception of Heaven

Excerpted from "A Ladder to Heaven" (South Park episode 612)

For some folks, the idea that we can create Heaven on Earth seems either too religious or too idealistic (unrealistic). If you are one of those who are put-off by such language, check out this very reasonable, "down to earth" conception of heaven.

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I feel as I always have, that the earth is the home and the only home of [hu]man[ity], and I am convinced that, whatever [we are] to get out of [our] existence [we] must get while [we are] here. —Clarence Darrow

I think it ought to be explained that Heaven is a state of experience that can deepen with practice and community. Thus, the ends are alive in the means -- we Yoans can choose to live in Heaven on Earth here and now by choices we make, our daily actions, our mode of listening and engagement of conflict, and the relationships we cultivate. Heaven is not a place free of pain, but -- as Buddhists point out-- although pain can not be avoided, suffering often can. What I understand from this Buddhist teaching is that FEELING our pain, although terrifying (especially when powerless and alone), can also be liberating if done in the context of emotional support and love. The moment of opening onself up to feelings that are normally fled from or locked tightly away, is truly transformative. It is the threshold of conversion, it feels like a death and rebirth, it is the doorway to Heaven (or Hell, but don't get lost in this false dualism). And entering Heaven can only be accomplished in communion with others--in partnerships, relationships, that express saftey, love, and true compasion (the roots of compasion mean "to suffer with"). This is a bonded spiritual community, who when they Gather for worship are at a level of emotional intimacy that produces a commraderie that is both easy and enviable--attractive and palpable to newcomers who might wonder, is this for real?

And THAT question can only be answered with the obvious: try it out and judge for yourself. Clearly it is only as real as it feels. If you can't experience HEAVEN on Earth in the here and now, then why should you put any faith in its possible occurrence at some future moment? That would be magical-thinking and very un-Yoan.

As The World's First Open Source Religion, the Way of Yo teaches us to take the perceptions and reactions of other divine humans as indications of our progress (or lack thereof) toward our goal of creating the clearest possible expression of the Truth, as revealed by Yo (Reality). So, if you have any thoughts, suggestions, or comments regarding this page—or any other aspect of Yoism—please send us a message via email. After registering as a user, you can click the "add new comment" button above to leave a specific comment on this or any page that you want other visitors to be able to read. (For comments that are not about a specific page, please use the email option.)